Source: HT
Context: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has withheld provisional award letters for 66 out of 106 selected candidates under the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) due to a shortage of funds.
About National Overseas Scholarship Scheme:
- What is the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme?
- A Central Sector Scheme that enables students from marginalised communities to pursue higher education abroad (Master’s or Ph.D.) by offering financial assistance for tuition, living expenses, and other costs.
- Launched By:
-
- Ministry: Social Justice and Empowerment
- Target Groups:
- Scheduled Castes (SCs)
- Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes
- Landless Agricultural Labourers
- Traditional Artisans
- Objective:
- To uplift low-income students from socially and economically disadvantaged groups by helping them access quality education abroad and thereby improve their economic and social mobility.
- Eligibility Criteria:
-
- Academic Qualification:
- For Master’s – Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 60%
- For Ph.D. – Master’s degree with ≥ 60%
- Age Limit: Not more than 35 years as on April 1 of selection year.
- Income Ceiling: Annual family income should not exceed ₹8 lakh.
- University Requirement: Unconditional admission in Top 500 QS-ranked institutions.
- Others:
- Not already studying/settled abroad
- Max 2 children per family eligible (second only if seats remain)
- Academic Qualification:
- Key Features:
- Annual Slots: 125 scholarships per year (115 for SCs, 6 for De-notified Tribes, 4 for Labourers/Artisans).
-
- Gender Quota: 30% of total awards reserved for women candidates.
- Two-Phase Selection:
- First round: QS Top 500 admission required.
- Second round: Broader eligibility including QS-ranked and other recognised institutions.
- Cap per State: No more than 10% of total slots per state to ensure wider geographic distribution.
- Conditional Awarding: If funds fall short, only part of selected candidates may receive awards.
